Le Cirque [17,] Las Vegas NV

Le Cirque

Veuve Clicquot Champagne Brut Yellow Label

Japanese Yellowtail, Hawaiian Heart of Palm, Espelette Pepper, Mandarin Orange, Tapioca, Radish, Yuzu Vinaigrette

Brioche, Baguette, Cheese-Bacon, Pretzel, White Chocolate-Coffee, Salted and Unsalted Butter

Salad of Baby Artichokes, Avocado, Parmesan, Dijon Mustard Vinaigrette, Alba White Truffles

Jerusalem Artichoke Veloute, Farm Egg Confit, Porcini, Brown Butter Crumble, Alba White Truffles

Pumpkin Ravioli, Sage Brown Butter, Alba White Truffles

Roasted Brittany Langoustine, Savoy Cabbage, Caviar Lemon Beurre Blanc

2013 The Royal Tokaji Wine Company Tokay Aszu 5 Puttonyos

Sauteed Foie Gras, Caramelized Tiger Stripe Fig, Fall Streusel, Beets Gastrique

Cervena Venison, Roasted Chestnuts, Spiced Dark Chocolate Port Reduction, Alba White Truffles

Pumpkin Ice Cream, Gingerbread Cone, Dark Chocolate

Double Espresso, Ice

Soufflé au Chocolat, Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

Grand Marnier Soufflé, Crème Anglaise

Pistachio Macaron, Chocolate Macaron, Lemon Macaron, Raspberry Macaron, Cassis Pate de Fruit, Vanilla Guimauve, Chocolate Bon Bon, Hazelnut Bon Bon

Rarely celebrating milestones on their actual date, a lifetime of delayed gratification thanks to schooling making it obvious that such things are best saved for times when they can be savored, it was for a party of two that reservations were made at Le Cirque on Saturday evening, Chef Alan Mardonovich and General Manager Ivo Angelov once again coordinating a night of pure luxury and elegance.

In reality a dual celebration for a couple at very different career stages, one just starting and another finally at home in Sin City, it was with a Champagne toast over personalized menus that the evening began promptly after seating, a familiar bite of Fish again awakening the palate followed by the arrival of Bread service.

Making a conscious attempt on this visit to abstain from too many Pretzels and slices of warm White Chocolate with Coffee, the ever-attentive servers not making the task easy as empty plates more than once prompted an offer for more, it was while watching the Bellagio Fountains from a cozy corner that course one arrived, Le Cirque’s classic Salad of Avocado and Artichoke Hearts decorated with shaved White Truffles whose fragrance carried nicely atop vibrant Vinaigrette and triangles of Parmesan.

Moving onward to Autumn with Sunchoke Soup, a tableside pour over Egg Yolk and textural elements producing a velvety Potage perfectly suited to freshly shaved Tuber magnatum, it was after slowly savoring each spoonful that silverware was reset in anticipation of Pasta, the Risotto and Tagliatelle of course still available but wiser guests opting for handmade Ravioli filled with roasted Fairytale Pumpkin whose light sweetness is magnified by Brown Butter that again acts as a classic vehicle to the seasonal Truffles from Alba.

Opting here to alter the order of courses, a lightly cooked Langoustine surrounded by Caviar and herbal Butter dazzling through little more than the ingredient quality, it was with a glass of Tokaji poured that Foie Gras’ arrival was announced, Chef Mardonovich’s teaser via Social Media hardly doing the pairing of Liver, Figs and Baking Spices justice as all was tied together beautifully by earthy Beet Gastrique.

Traveling next to New Zealand for what many consider the World’s best Venison, grass-fed and finished Cervena loin cooked rare amidst roasted Chestnuts, it would be difficult to suggest shaved Truffles did not add additional oomph to a complex Sauce made of Port and Dark Chocolate, though one can safely assume the dish is also fantastic un-supplemented while a follow-up palate cleanser tied nicely into the flavors preceding it.

Finishing up in classic Le Cirque fashion, a Double Espresso and Mignardises always worth lingering over, it was as flames slowly burned atop a particularly tall Grand Marnier Soufflé that its counterpart was crowned with Ice Cream, both versions as delicate as they are indulgent and a perfect way to end another memorable meal at Las Vegas’ best Restaurant.

FIVE STARS: Now visit number seventeen, the first over ten years prior still unforgettable in equal parts due to the Food and gracious service, there is a reason so many visitors go out of their way to visit Le Cirque every time they are in town and for those with the means it remains one of Sin City’s true “destination” Restaurants.

RECOMMENDED: White Chocolate-Coffee Bread, Jerusalem Artichoke Veloute, Pumpkin Ravioli, Sauteed Foie Gras, Cervena Vension, Souffle(s).

AVOID: N/A.

TIP: The White Truffle Menu is available as a whole or via individual plates from now through late Decembrer.

WHAT THE STARS MEAN: 5 World Class, 4 Excellent, 3 Good, 2 Fair, 1 Poor.

https://www.bellagio.com/en/restaurants/le-cirque.html